Weehawken man charged with assault in Hoboken, sent for psychological evaluation

HOBOKEN -- A 53-year-old Weehawken man kicked and damaged a cyclist’s bike, then assaulted a police officer and tried to light himself on fire, early Wednesday morning, police said.

Robert Baker, 53, of Gregory Avenue in Weehawken, was charged with criminal mischief and aggravated assault on a police officer Wednesday.

Police were called to the St. Matthew Trinity Lutheran Church at 57 Eighth St. at 12:20 a.m. on the report of a dispute. There they met a 49-year-old Bloomfield Street man who said that Baker repeatedly kicked his mountain bike, damaging the frame and gears and then walked into the church, reports said.

Police found Baker in the church, where Baker said “What the f - do you want?” before admitting he had been in an altercation and “kicked the s -”out of the victim’s bike.

Baker then put his hands in front of him and told the cops, “Handcuff me. Take me to jail,” but he continued yelling profanities and acting aggressively, reports said.

While at the station, Baker begged cops to kill him, and after being put in a holding cell, Baker began flicking his lighter in an attempt to set his shirt on fire, reports said.

Baker lunged at an officer who entered the cell to stop the prisoner from hurting himself and then he shoved the cop against a wall, injuring the officer’s right shoulder, reports said. It took several officers to get Baker under control to shackle him.

The officer was treated for his injury, and Baker was transported to Hoboken University Medical Center for evaluation, reports said.